Global Perspective: An Evo In Dubai

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One of the things that fascinates me most about car culture is the different ways automobiles are perceived and loved across the planet. The cars themselves be nearly identical physically, but as you visit new places you begin to see them in different ways.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution in particular is a car that will have a very different following depending on which part of the world you come from. You may live in a place where the Evo was known and loved since its debut 1992, when it began dominating rally events and building its legendary reputation.

Here in the United States for example, the Evo has a slightly different history. For most of us Americans, it was through the magic of video games that we were first exposed to this and other high performance AWD cars from Japan. I can clearly remember playing those games as a youngster and wondering how these strange four door cars could be so damn fast.

It wasn’t just a case of using the car in the game because we really liked it. No, using the Evo was simply the easiest way to win money and advance through the game. A lot us had never even seen one with our own eyes, but we dreamed of driving one of these Lancer Evolutions in real life.

It wasn’t until 2003 that Mitsubishi finally wised up and decided to import the Evo 8 to the USA. The rest is history, and a fascinating example of how a car’s reputation can be built.

Across the world in automobile-obsessed Dubai, Motaz Abu Hijleh also dreamed of owning a Lancer Evolution. Working as an aircraft tech for Emirates Airlines, Motaz had always loved mechanical things, cars in particular. He had driven and modified everything from a Volkswagen GTI to a Mercedes E-Class, and a Honda Type R. What he really wanted though, was an Evo.

In 2007 after being encouraged by his friends, Motaz finally headed to the dealer to make the dream a reality. I’m not sure how popular the Evo was in Dubai at this point, but Motaz says he had to convince the salesman that the Evolution model actually existed. After some argument (that included turning down the base model Lancer that dealer tried to sell him), Motaz had ordered his Evolution. A white Evo 9 GSR to be exact.

The Evo is not the sort of car you buy just to cruise around town, and right after taking possession Motaz was hitting every track event he possibly could. As he learned the car and honed his driving technique, he began installing modifications that would enhance the driving experience – adjustable HKS Hypermax coilovers, and HKS titanium exhaust for example.

He also beefed up the stopping power with a set of Endless brakes with CCRG pads. Motaz says he’ll never forget feeling the braking power under his foot for the first time. As the modding continued, he had a clear concept of building a functional and reliable track beast that he could punish without worry.

Around this time, Motaz began working at a shop called TAM Auto Engineering. The Evo became one of TAM’s official projects, and the modifications were taken to the next level.

In between working on customer vehicles, TAM fully attacked the engine of the Evo. The entire thing was rebuilt as 2.3 liter stroker with a heat-treated crank. With reliability being the primary goal, all of the engine’s internals had been upgraded for maximum strength.

When it comes to building a hot 4G63, there are fewer brands trusted more than HKS. The head gasket, 264 cams, cam gears, injectors, fuel rail, and more were all sourced from the Japanese tuning giant.

HKS was also called upon to supply the its potent GT3240 turbo kit, along with the downpipe, blow off valve, and R type intercooler.

The tuning of the motor was handled by MPS Engineering from Germany, who came to Dubai to lend a hand. Running on C16 fuel, the car made a stout 465 horsepower to the wheels. The MPS guys wanted to push for more power, but since he wasn’t attempting to build the fastest Evo around, Motaz figured that number would be sufficient and ensure reliability.

With performance being upped significantly from factory spec, it was also decided that the Evo’s exterior needed a makeover. Not just for looks, but for function as well.

There’s really no one better at making functional aero parts for the Evo than Voltex. The entire car was stripped down and sent off for body work, returning with a full Voltex wide body and a completely custom orange paint job. Motaz says it took several tries before the color was perfected to his liking.

With the body redone in orange, the interior coated in a custom bronze color.

It would just be wrong to have a Voltex aero kit without a matching Voltex wing, wouldn’t it?

Sitting beneath the pumped out fenders are a set of 18″ Volk Racing CE28Ns with 265-35-18 Pirelli P-Zero tires. The car also runs more aggressive Pirelli race-spec rubber during track sessions.

The interior of the Evo is actually very civil given the fully built motor and wind-tunnel proven exterior treatment. Custom alcantara was laid over the headliner, dashboard, door panels, and the pair of Bride Zeta III seats. The matching alcantara steering wheel is from Tanida Motorsport.

Sabelt harnesses are also there to keep the driver and passenger secure during those track day adventures.

A custom carbon fiber mount was built to house the HKS EVC controls and F-Con V-Pro system.

The factory gauge cluster was also replaced with an HKS Camp 2 system, mounted with its own carbon fiber housing.

The car you see here has been a long time coming. There were many times when the Evo project had to be set aside to focus on customer cars or other ventures. Motaz recently opened his own business, Parc Ferme Workshop, which specializes in car storage and tuning. It was only recently that he was able to put the finishing touches on the Evo project.

While Motaz is very satisfied with the car in its current state, we all know that project cars are never truly “done”. Next on the list is to upgrade the differentials and perhaps add a sequential transmission.

The Lancer Evolution is car with loyal fans across the world, all of whom discovered it in different ways.

I’d say Motaz has done the legendary name well on the skyscraper-lined streets (and race tracks) of Dubai.

Nice car very clean and functional, he should leave the 6 speed transmission inside. I know he wants to change it to make his shifts faster on the track. But in reality its going to make the car loose some soul, loose some of the fire. That's why people always will go back to Evo's and Sti's even though they are way faster cars out there, because they are a proper sports car with a traditional manual transmission.

To be fair.. The Gran turismo games was so biased towards the japanese brands. Basically everything else unless supercars was shit. even then the japanese brands where biased towards.

Everyone knows you can get a turbo or supercarger for a corvette and hit 1000hp but it was the NA tune who where the most powerfull i believe.

My personal favorite was the supra in GT3. so much power! i started to understand setup back then. if you made it entirely for corners, wheelspin was to be expected up to 200km`t, if you soften the rear you got it down to 180k but then you had less corner speed. It had good brakes too.

Love the shots. That Evo looks right at home in the middle of an Arabian Desert. I specifically like the ones with the Dubai skylines in the background from a far distance. Its nice to see some enthusiasts out there who enjoy cars that not just European exotics. How is the driving experience out there? I bet the Arabs (not to be offensive to ethnic background) out there have some nice roads!